There were seven Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 4th Round games played on Saturday 9th February.
Down High School hosted Ballyclare High School and the 2012 Ulster Schools’ Cup beaten finalists came away with a convincing 33-5 victory.
Ballyclare High School dominated proceedings in the first half and had built up a 26-5 lead by halftime. The visitors opened the scoring when their impressive captain, Jonny Darling, picked up from the base of a scrum won against the head and crashed over the Down High School line for a try. Jack Irvine converted the try to put the Ballyclare High School team into a 7-0 lead. The Down High School team responded almost immediately and took play deep into Ballyclare territory. Following a series of picks and drives the Down High School prop forward, Nathan Gibson, eventually scrambled over for an unconverted try which reduced the arrears to 7-5. Midway through the half Jonny Darling scored his second try of the game when he took advantage of good work from his fellow forwards to touch down under the Down High School posts. Jack Irvine converted the try to extend the Ballyclare High School lead to 14-5. The visitors then scored two tries just before the interval. Jack Irvine put a superb kick into the Down High School corner. From the resultant lineout, David Allen stole the ball and crashed over for an unconverted try. Now leading by 19-5, the Ballyclare team really sealed the game on the stroke of halftime when, Man of the Match, Jonny Darling completed his hat trick of tries. Jack Irvine converted the try to put the Ballyclare High School team into a comfortable 26-5 half time lead.
The Down High School team started the second half strongly and asked questions of the Ballyclare High School defence. Unfortunately for them they found the Ballyclare defence to be well-organised and in a mood to give nothing away. The home team gave away a number of penalties which assisted the Ballyclare team in clearing the danger. The only try of the second half was scored by the Ballyclare High School flanker, Jordan McKinstry.. Jordan took advantage of a turnover ball won by his midfield defence to run in for the try. Jack Irvine was, once again, successful with his conversion kick to ensure a Ballyclare High School win by 33-5 and a place in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Quarter-Final draw.
The Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 4th Round draw threw together two of the giants of the competition when Campbell College entertained their close rivals, Methodist College, in front of a large crowd of enthusiastic supporters on the famous Fox’s Field.
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The Methodist College team build their 12-0 victory by controlling most of the game in the first half and defending heroically in the second. The visitors took an early 5-0 lead when their hard working 2nd Row forward, Mark Campbell, took advantage of a charge down close to the Campbell College line and win the race for the touchdown. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful but the Methodist College team had a 5-0 lead. Methody continued to control most of the possession and territory but, on the rare occasion the Campbell College team got into the Methody 22m area, they did look dangerous. The Methody team managed to keep their line intact and midway through the first launched an attack deep into Campbell College territory. Connor McKee, the Methody and Ulster Schools’ centre, found himself in space and he outpaced the Campbell defence to run in for a try. Josh Bingham added the extras to put the Methodist College team into a 12-0 lead. The Methody team had opportunities to add to this score and sat on the Campbell College line for long periods of time. However, the Campbell College pack fronted up in terms of their defensive duties with Tiernan Dylan getting through a lot of work and ensured there were no further scores in the first half.
The Campbell College team set their stall out early in the second half by taking play deep into Methody territory. They had wave after wave of attacks but found the Methodist College defence to be very well-organised and unwilling to give anything away. The Campbell team attacked through their forwards as well as through their backs. Rob Haldane directed operations bringing players such as Jack Owens and Harry Howard into attacking positions. Josh Fullerton had a couple of opportunities but the Methody defence, with Ross Kane, Michael Lagan, Alec Thompson and James Gallagher getting through a lot of work, stood firm. There were no scores in the second half which ensured the Methodist College team a hard earned but deserved 12-0 win and a place in the Quarter-Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup.
Ballymena Academy hosted Wallace High School in an exciting game at the Galgorm Road venue which the Lisburn boys won by 28-13.
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The Wallace High School team had to withstand some early pressure from a very committed Ballymena Academy team. The home came close to scoring on a number of occasions only to knock the ball on with the Wallace High School line at their mercy. Wallace then enjoyed a sustained period of possession deep in the Ballymena territory and were rewarded for their excellent ball retention when their Zach McCall powered over from close range to score below the posts. Ryan Moore was successful with the conversion to see his team into a 7-0 lead. Ballymena responded immediately when Andrew Magrath slotted a penalty and the deficit was reduced to 7-6 when Andrew added his second penalty of the morning shortly afterwards. Immediately from the restart, with only one minute until half time, Ballymena made a careless error under their posts. An attempted off-load didn’t go to hand and Wallace pounced on the loose ball and moved it wide for a try in the corner with Josh Collingwood getting the touchdown. Ryan Moore kicked an excellent touchline conversion to see his team into a 14-6 halftime lead.
The opening exchanges of the second half were always going to prove crucial and it was Wallace High who capitalised on several Ballymena mistakes to move the ball wide for Jacob Stockdale to finish in the corner. Another successful conversion from the touchline by Ryan Moore saw Wallace move into a comfortable 21-6 lead. Ballymena Academy rallied and enjoyed a sustained period of pressure deep in the Wallace High School half. This culminated with Josh McIlroy bursting over the line following a well-rehearsed line-out move. Andrew Magrath’s successful conversion reduced the arrears to 21-13. With ten minutes left, the game opened up and both teams looked to keep the ball alive. It was the away team who got the crucial fourth try when their back-line created space and moved the ball to the impressive Jacob Stockdale who finished well. Another successful kick from Ryan Moore saw the score move to 28-13 in favour of the Wallace High School team. The Wallace High School maintained this score until the final whistle sounded when the Lisburn team celebrated their place in the Quarter-Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup.
Royal School, Armagh hosted Coleraine Academical Institution on a very difficult pitch at the College Hill venue. However, the underfoot conditions did not prevent the RS Armagh team from putting on a good display of rugby football and emerge as deserved 36-0 winners.
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The home team controlled all aspects of the game in the first half and ran in five tries. Ali Wright and his twin brother Conor scored one try each in the first half as did Luke Reaney, John McDonagh and Nigel Simpson. Ali Wright was successful with three out of five conversion attempts to secure a 31-0 lead for his RS Armagh team at the interval.
The Coleraine AI team fought back in the early stages of the second half but despite the best efforts of players such as Peter Kidd, Nick Logan, Ryan Boyd and Daniel McAllister, they could find no way through a dogged RS Armagh defence. On a rare outing into the opposition half in the second period of play, Darryl Morton created a piece of RS Armagh Schools’ Cup history when he became the first member of the Morton family to score a Schools’ Cup try. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful but the RS Armagh team now had a 36-0 lead. The RS Armagh captain, Michael Hoey, led his team well and ensured they were able to finish the game as deserved 36-0 winners thus ensuring their place in the Quarter-Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup.
Belfast Royal Academy hosted the young Sullivan Upper team and made them work hard before the Sullivan Upper team emerged as 20-10 winners.
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The game was played in very wet conditions at Roughfort. The opening exchanges of the game were fairly evenly contested with both teams keen to play the game with the ball in hand. Fifteen minutes into the game the breakthrough came when Josh Davidson, nephew of former Ulster, Ireland and Lions 2nd Row, Jeremy Davidson, took advantage of good work from the Sullivan pack to scramble over for a try. Mark Adair was successful with the conversion kick to see his team into a 7-0 lead. There was an element of controversy surrounding the second Sullivan Upper try scored just before the interval. The home team thought they had grounded the ball in the in-goal area following a Sullivan Upper chip ahead. However, the chasing Sullivan Upper player, David McMaster, had other ideas and he pounced on the ball and was awarded a try. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful but the Sullivan Upper team had a 12-0 lead at the break.
The Belfast Royal Academy team started the second half in a very determined fashion. Impressive prop, Daniel McFadden got the touchdown following a driven maul. Daniel then converted his try to reduce the arrears to 12-5. The Sullivan Upper team took play into Belfast Royal Academy territory and got rewarded for their endeavours when Mark Adair was successful with a penalty kick opportunity to increase the Sullivan Upper lead to 15-7. Belfast Royal Academy then kicked a penalty through Daniel McFadden to reduce the arrears to 15-10. The home team applied further pressure on the Sullivan Upper line but a mixture of good Sullivan Upper defence and a number of balls knocked on saw the home team come away empty handed. The Sullivan Upper team secured their hard earned victory when they scored a late try through Dave Cave following a series of picks and go. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful but the Sullivan Upper team had done enough to secure the game by 20-12 and a place in the Quarter-Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup.
Regent House hosted Royal Belfast Academical Institution in a game from which the Belfast School emerged as 22-10 winners.
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The RBAI team went on the attack from the kick off and got rewarded for their enterprising approach when Nathan Brown crossed the Regent House line for an unconverted try with less than two minutes on the clock. The visitors kept attacking the Regent House defence and eight minutes later scored their second try when Rory Campbell outpaced the home defence to run in for a try. Again, the conversion attempt was unsuccessful but the Belfast Inst team had a 10-0 lead. The Regent House team responded in a positive manner and reduced the arrears to 10-3 when their scrum half and captain, Gary Wright, converted a penalty opportunity. Just before the interval John McClure made a telling break for the Belfast Inst team which resulted in Rory Bell scoring a try. Nathan Brown converted the try to secure a 17-3 halftime lead for the Royal Belfast Academical Institution team.
Regent House started the second half brightly and put some good phases together with Jonny Baird, their open-side flanker to the fore with his dynamic play. A break from a scrum deep in the Inst 22m saw Gary Wright almost score for Regent but the final offload was unfortunately knocked on by a Regent House forward. From a turnover ball and an attack down the left hand side of the pitch the Belfast Inst team spread the ball to see Nathan Brown squeeze in for an unconverted try in the corner. This put the visitors into a 22-3 lead with just fifteen minutes of the game remaining. The Regent outhalf, Peter Eakin, then broke from his own half to sprint fifty metres before off-loading the ball to Aaron Culbert. Aaron put through a grubber kick and was illegally impeded as he was about to score. The referee awarded a penalty try, which was converted by Gary Wright, to reduce the arrears to 22-10. Despite the best efforts of the Regent House team there were no further scores in this full blooded game which ensured it was the Royal Belfast Academical Institution team that progressed to the Quarter-Final stage of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup.
Bangor Grammar School hosted Belfast High School on a very wet and sticky Ballymacormick Road pitch.
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The home side did enough in the first two thirds of the game to ensure a 17-5 victory. The Bangor Grammar School team started the game strongly with their pack well in control. James Leary, Matthew Stockton, Max Montgomery and Andrew Shaw impressed with their hard graft in both the set piece and open play scenarios. The home team took a 5-0 lead after fifteen minutes when their full back, Michael Weir, squeezed in for a try in the corner following a powerful Bangor scrum and good work off the base from Max Montgomery. This became 12-0 close to the interval when the Bangor Grammar School break away trio combined to send Matthew Stockton in for a try. Ross McCloskey converted the try.
The second half saw the visitors come into the game in a more positive manner. However, it was the Bangor Grammar School team that extended their lead when their No 8, Max Montgomery, powered his way over the Belfast High School line for an unconverted try and a 17-0 lead. At this stage of the game the Belfast High School team really came back strongly. Good work from the mid field trio of Joel McBride, Adam White and Jordan Garford paved the way for Jake Hutchinson to run in for an unconverted try to reduce the arrears to 17-5. The High School team had another try disallowed for an offence in the Bangor Grammar School in goal area and they kept pressure on the Bangor line until the no-side whistle sounded. However, it was a case of too little, too late for the valiant Belfast High School team and it was the Bangor Grammar School that celebrated their 17-5 win and with it a place in the Quarter-Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup.
The Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 4th Round game featuring Dariada and Limavady Grammar School was postponed and will be played on Wednesday 13th February.
Following the 4th Round games the draw for the Quarter-Finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup and the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield took place in the Boardroom of Campbell College, The draws were conducted by Mr Ivan McMinn representing the Danske Bank and Mr Stephen Black, School Principals’ Representative on the Ulster Branch.
The results of the draws were as follows:-
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Quarter-Finals
Bangor Grammar School v Royal School, Armagh
Ballyclare High School v Sullivan Upper School
Royal Belfast Academical Inst v Dalriada/Limavady Grammar School
Methodist College, Belfast v Wallace High School
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield Quarter-Finals
Coleraine Academical Institution v Regent House
Down High School v Dalriada/Limavady Grammar School
Belfast Royal Academy v Belfast High School
Ballymena Academy v Campbell College, Belfast
These games are all scheduled to be played on Saturday 23rd February.
There were three Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl Quarter-Final games played on Saturday 9th February.
Carrickfergus Grammar School hosted Foyle and Londonderry College in a game that saw the Maiden City team emerge as 25-13 winners.
In very wet conditions the Foyle College team started the game positively running the ball with every opportunity. This positive approach was turned into an early lead when winger, David Lapsley, opened the scoring with a try which was converted by Neil Burns to put the Foyle team into a 7-0 lead. Carrickfergus Grammar School responded immediately with young out half, Adam Fittis, making a thirty metre break to set up a ruck when tackled. His forwards arrived and, following two further quick phases of play, Adam Urqhart crashed over the Foyle line to touch down for an unconverted try to reduce the arrears to 7-5. With play resuming Carrickfergus Grammar School dominated both possession and territory. Jonathan McMaw took advantage of Foyle College mistakes to get possession and dive over the line in the corner to score an unconverted try and put his Carrickfergus Grammar School team into a 10-7 lead. The Foyle team then regrouped and, through some good play by the pack, they earned a penalty close to the Carrickfergus Grammar School 22m line. Neil Burns converted the penalty opportunity to draw the score level at 10-10. Once again, the home team responded positively and took play deep into the Foyle College half. Pressure on the Foyle line resulted in a penalty which the lively Carrickfergus Grammar School scrum half, Michael Black, converted to put his team into a deserved 13-10 lead, a lead they held until the interval.
Foyle and Londonderry College displayed great bouncebackability and started the second half strongly with Neil Burns having a major impact on the game. Fifteen minutes after the restart Neil broke out of his 22m area and left a wake of despairing Carrickfergus Grammar School defenders behind him before he touched down for a try. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful but the Foyle College team now had a 15-13 lead. Neil then proceeded to score his second try of the game which he converted to increase the Foyle College lead to 22-13. With just five minutes remaining Neil converted a penalty kick to secure a 25-13 win for his Foyle and Londonderry College team. Despite losing the game, the Carrickfergus Grammar School coaches were delighted with the way their team performed. Injuries meant some experienced players were unavailable for the game and, with twelve fifth form pupils on the team; the feeling is this augurs well for the future.
Portadown College travelled to play Friends’ School, Lisburn and had to work hard before they came away with a 16-0 victory in this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl Quarter-Final.
The Friends’ team welcomed back a number of key players from injury for this game. Portadown College started the stronger of the two teams and were eager to impose their game plan on the opposition. The visitors maintained possession for long periods of time in the first half but found it difficult to break down a determined Friends’ School defence in which Jack Ravey, Ross Robinson and Dean Howes got through a lot of work. Unfortunately for the home team they did give away a number of penalties close to their line. Niall Davidson converted two of these to put his Portadown College team into a 6-0 lead at the break.
The start of the second half saw the Friends’ School pack gain some quality possession which enabled their back division mount some good attacks. However, despite the best efforts of players such as Zac Finlay, Cameron McClements and Jack McMullan, they could find no way through a resolute Portadown College defence. On a rare excursion into the Friends’ School 22m area, the Portadown team was awarded a penalty. No 8, Aaron Abraham, took a quick tapped penalty and powered his way over the Friends’ School line. Niall Davidson added the extras to increase the Portadown College lead to 13-0. The Friends’ School team continued to attack but it was all to no avail. Niall Davidson secured the game for the Portadown College team with another successful penalty and a 16-0 victory. Despite losing the Friends’ School team will take a lot of positives from the game as they prepare for an end of season tour to Italy in March.
Rainey Endowed School hosted the Royal School, Dungannon team which had been hit by a number of injuries in the lead up to this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl Quarter-Final game.
The Rainey Endowed School team emerged as 45-0 winners. The Rainey Endowed team dominated all aspects of the game from the beginning and, despite the best efforts of players such as Jack Milligan, Matthew Montgomery, David Leyburn and Thomas Downing, there was little they could do to prevent the Rainey Endowed team from going into a 28-0 lead at the interval. The Rainey scores came through tries from Oisin Quinn, Jonny Lees, Diarmuid Devlin and John Stewart. Aaran Murphy was successful with all four conversions.
It was more of the same in the course of the second half with the Rainey Endowed team running in a further three tries. Rainey captain, Michael Dawson led the way with one try and Andrew Nicholl and Rigan Saunderson scored the other two. Aaron Murphy converted two of these tries to ensure a handsome 45-0 victory for the Rainey Endowed School team.
The Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl Quarter-Final game between Grosvenor Grammar School and Omagh Academy was postponed due to unplayable ground conditions at the Grosvenor Grammar School playing fields. This game has been rescheduled for Wednesday 13th February.
Following the Quarter-Final games that did take place the draw for the Semi-Finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl took place in the Boardroom at Campbell College. The draw was conducted by Mr Ivan McMinn, representing the Danske Bank, and Mr Stephen Black, School Principals’ representative on the Ulster Branch.
The results of the draw were as follows:-
Grosvenor Grammar School/Omagh Academy v Foyle and Londonderry College
Rainey Endowed School v Portadown College
There were two Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy Semi-Final games played on Saturday 9th February.
Banbridge Academy hosted Wellington College and recorded a comfortable 28-5 victory. The Banbridge Academy team dominated the game from the beginning and took an early 5-0 lead when Aaron Kennedy broke away from his own half to score an unconverted try. This became 8-0 a few minutes later when Aaron was successful with a penalty kick. The home team had their forwards to thank for their second try of the game when Matthew Bell got the touch down following good work from Rory Carson, Calum Boardman and Tom Carlise. Aaron Kennnedy converted the try to see his team into a 15-0 lead at the interval.
The Banbridge Academy team maintained the pressure on the Wellington College defence after the restart. They got rewarded for their hard work when Tom Carlisle went over for an unconverted try to increase the Banbridge Academy lead to 20-0. The Wellington College team mounted something of a revival and Keir Patterson crossed the Academy line for an unconverted try which reduced the arrears to 20-5. Aaron Kennedy then kicked a drop goal for his Banbridge Academy team to take the score to 23-5. The game finished with Conor Morrow, the impressive Banbridge Academy scrum half, running in for an unconverted try to secure the 28-5 victory for his team and a place in the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy.
The second Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy Semi-Final took place at Lurgan College when the home team entertained Portora Royal School.
The Lurgan College team will be wondering how they are not contesting the Final of the Trophy competition having dominated the game for large periods of time before losing by 14-12. The Lurgan College team took a 7-0 lead in the game when Dean Wilson took a quickly tapped penalty to power over the Portora Royal School line and score close to the posts. Mark McIlwaine was successful with his conversion kick. Portora Royal School responded in a positive manner but could find no way through the Lurgan College defence. The Lurgan team held on to their 7-0 lead until the break.
The Lurgan team continued to shade the territorial advantage in the early stages of the second half. Ten minutes after the restart the Lurgan College flanker, Curtis Doak, broke away from a ruck and ran in from thirty metres to score a fine individual try. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful but the Lurgan College team had a 12-0 lead. The Lurgan College team then dropped a pass close to the Portora RS 22m line. The Portora players combined to hack the ball the length of the pitch and score a converted try to reduce the arrears to 12-7. It was now a game of nip and tuck but it was the Portora team that had the final say when they score a converted try to secure a close 14-12 win in the closing stages of the game. This win ensures it will be the Portoa Royal School team that will contest the Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy.
This final is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 27th February, venue TBC.
Two Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield games took place during the week.
The Dromore High School team had James Morton and Matthew McMaster to thank for their 26-10 win against a rugged Omagh Academy team. These two players played major roles in the Dromore High School win.
The Dromore team then travelled to play the Wallace High School Medallion XV; a team reckoned by most observers to be favourites to win the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield competition. The Wallace High School team won the game by 65-0. The Wallace scores came through tries from Ben Finlay x 3, Adam Galashan x 2 and Hector Epanomeritakis, Michael Downey, Adam Heaps, Gary Dylan and Ryan Garnham all of whom scored one try each. Kyle Hayes added one penalty and six conversions.
The Dromore High School team will now play either Belfast Royal Academy/Rainey Endowed School in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate while Wallace High School will host Ballymena Academy in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield.
These games are scheduled to be played on Saturday 16th February.
